Massive Noble X Hack: Fake Airdrop Trap Targets Solana & Cosmos Users

Noble X Account Hacked: How Fake Airdrop Links Put Crypto Wallets at Risk

The official Noble X account — a Cosmos-based blockchain platform known for issuing stablecoins — was compromised late on October 22, 2025. The attackers used the verified account to distribute malicious phishing links disguised as airdrop claims for the $NBL token, which they claimed was launching on the Solana network.

The incident quickly raised alarms across the crypto community. Scam Sniffer, a leading blockchain security tracker, confirmed that the account had been hacked and was actively sharing fraudulent links designed to steal funds from unsuspecting users.

Noble Founder Confirms Breach

By early October 23, Jelena Noble, the founder of Noble Platform, confirmed through her verified X (formerly Twitter) account that the official handle had been compromised. She stated that all fake tweets had since been deleted and that the Noble security team was coordinating with X’s trust and safety division to regain full access and restore platform security.

According to Noble’s preliminary investigation, no smart contracts were breached, and no user funds were directly compromised. However, the attack has reignited concerns over rising phishing cases targeting blockchain developers, community managers, and official project accounts.

“This attack highlights how even verified accounts can be exploited to spread fraudulent links. We urge our community to double-check URLs and never connect wallets through unverified sources,” Noble said in her public statement.

How the Hack Worked

The attackers crafted a fake promotional post announcing, “$NBL is now live on Binance Smart Chain (BSC)”, complete with contract addresses and links that appeared legitimate at first glance.

These links mimicked official pages from Binance Alpha and other exchanges, tricking users into thinking they were participating in an exclusive launch event. But instead of leading to trading dashboards or legitimate airdrop claim portals, the links redirected users to phishing websites.

Once users connected their wallets, the malicious sites initiated transactions using deceptive functions like setApprovalForAll and safeTransferFrom. These permissions effectively gave the attacker full control over non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or tokens in the user’s wallet — allowing them to drain assets instantly without needing passwords or seed phrases.

Although the exact number of affected wallets remains unknown, security experts believe the coordinated phishing attempt was designed to harvest wallet approvals at scale.

Not the First Time: A Pattern of Crypto Social Media Attacks

This latest breach is just one in a growing list of social media-based crypto scams. Over the past five years, hackers have repeatedly exploited the trust associated with verified or official accounts to execute multimillion-dollar heists.

Notable past incidents include:

• The Twitter Crypto Hack (2020): More than 130 verified accounts, including those of Elon Musk, Apple, and Barack Obama, were hijacked to promote a fake Bitcoin giveaway. Victims collectively lost over $118,000 in BTC before Twitter locked down its verification system.

• The Blur NFT Drain (2024): Hackers launched a fraudulent “airdrop claim” site nearly identical to Blur’s real page, siphoning off approximately $2.3 million worth of NFTs.

• Friend.tech Clone Scam (2024): Attackers created fake app listings and Google Ads that mimicked Friend.tech’s interface. Wallets were drained within seconds of users connecting their accounts.

These examples underscore how cybercriminals exploit speed and social trust. In the decentralized world, where transactions are irreversible, a single click on the wrong link can lead to catastrophic financial loss.

Security Breakdown: How Wallets Get Drained

Contrary to popular belief, most victims of crypto phishing never share their seed phrases. Instead, they unknowingly authorize malicious smart contracts or interact with cloned decentralized applications (dApps).

Here’s how hackers execute these attacks step-by-step:

1. Fake Contract Approvals – Scammers trick users into approving hidden permissions, giving the attacker full control over wallet assets.

2. Clipboard Hijacking – Malware secretly replaces copied wallet addresses with the attacker’s own address.

3. Browser Exploits – Malicious scripts steal private keys or session data through insecure browser extensions.

4. Phishing Redirects – Clone websites mimic official sites, prompting users to “sign in” using wallet integrations that execute unauthorized transactions.

Security firms have noted a sharp increase in these tactics since mid-2025, coinciding with rising crypto adoption and renewed interest in DeFi airdrops.

Expert Reactions and Community Response

Blockchain analysts from SlowMist and PeckShield have since verified the phishing domains linked to the Noble X hack, flagging over a dozen wallet addresses tied to the same attacker network.

“Phishing has evolved from email scams to highly sophisticated multi-chain attacks,” said Kevin Wu, an independent cybersecurity researcher. “The attackers leverage brand trust, trending tokens, and real-time hype cycles to target both new and experienced investors.”

The broader community reacted with both frustration and caution. Some users reported nearly falling for the scam after seeing the verified checkmark on the Noble account. Others demanded that social media platforms like X implement stronger security protocols, such as hardware-key-based authentication for verified crypto projects.

Despite the outrage, Noble’s swift response helped contain the fallout. Within hours, all malicious tweets were removed, and warnings were broadcast across multiple channels — including Discord and Telegram — advising users not to engage with any suspicious links.

Lessons Learned: Staying Safe in Web3

The Noble X hack serves as yet another reminder that blockchain security begins with user vigilance. Unlike traditional banking systems, crypto transactions offer no recourse once assets are stolen.

Here are practical steps all users can take to stay safe:

• Avoid clicking on links from posts, private messages, or emails — even if they appear official.

• Verify URLs manually by typing them directly into the browser or using bookmarks.

• Use cold wallets or hardware wallets for long-term storage of large holdings.

• Revoke suspicious permissions regularly via blockchain explorers or tools like Revoke.cash.

• Double-check token contract addresses through official project documentation or explorers like Etherscan and Solscan.

• Stay updated on the latest scams through trusted security sources and project announcements.

Even experienced traders can fall victim to sophisticated phishing attacks. A single transaction signature or approval can expose entire portfolios if executed carelessly.

The Bigger Picture: Rising Threats in Crypto Security

The frequency of high-profile account hacks underscores the urgent need for better Web3 security infrastructure. As the crypto industry continues to merge with mainstream finance, hackers are scaling up their operations and targeting institutional players, not just retail investors.

Industry experts are now calling for:

• Multi-signature verification for official project announcements.

• Decentralized identity solutions (DIDs) to verify the authenticity of Web3 accounts.

• AI-based scam detection systems integrated into wallets and browsers.

The Noble incident, while contained, highlights a broader systemic issue — the vulnerability of centralized social media platforms being used as the communication backbone for decentralized finance.

Conclusion

The hacking of the Noble X account serves as a cautionary tale in a year already marked by high-stakes crypto exploits. While no user funds were directly lost, the attack reveals just how fragile trust can be in an industry built on transparency and security.

For investors and enthusiasts alike, the message is clear: in crypto, every click counts. Whether it’s a new token launch, airdrop, or exchange listing, verifying authenticity before interacting could be the difference between safety and a drained wallet.

Writer @Ellena

Erlin is an experienced crypto writer who loves to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and financial markets. She regularly provides insights into the latest trends and innovations in the digital currency space.

 

 Check out other news and articles on Google News

Disclaimer:

The articles published on hokanews are intended to provide up-to-date information on various topics, including cryptocurrency and technology news. The content on our site is not intended as an invitation to buy, sell, or invest in any assets. We encourage readers to conduct their own research and evaluation before making any investment or financial decisions.

hokanews is not responsible for any losses or damages that may arise from the use of information provided on this site. Investment decisions should be based on thorough research and advice from qualified financial advisors. Information on HokaNews may change without notice, and we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content published.